The Respiratory Therapist is an integral part of the health care team and located in the Specialty Care Service. The incumbent assesses, plans, implements and evaluates respiratory care to patients in a variety of settings within the hospital and is educated upon the special needs of the population for which he/she serves. This position is full time, 40 hours per week, including weekends and holidays.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Licensure. Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT. Credential. Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05.(a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.(b) Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07.(a) Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09.Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11.Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level and hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for GS 11. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Preferred Experience: One year of ICU experience. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. References: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Light lifting (under 15 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Light carrying (under 15 pounds); Pushing (some hours); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 4 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Kneeling (some hours); Repeated bending (some hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); No skin allergies.
Responsible for Mechanical Ventilation Management, CPAP/BiPAP Ventilation, Administration of Aerosolized Medication, Bronchial Hygiene, Airway Management, Oxygen Therapy, Aerosol Therapy. Responsible for Diagnostic Testing such as bedside Spirometry, EKGs, Pulse Oximetry. Assist Pulmonologist in Therapeutic Bronchoscopy procedures, Arterial Blood Gas sampling, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Responsible for performing Home Oxygen Evaluations, Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT), Bronchial Provocation Testing (Methacholine Challenge), Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing, Home CPAP/BiP APNP AP set-ups with Compliance Checks, Mask Fitting and Dispensing, Patient Education, and basic maintenance. Assess patients by history, pulmonary physical assessment, and chart review before the start of therapy. Changes in these findings during therapy and results of therapy will be recorded. Utilize knowledge regarding the use of medications in respiratory therapy and will observe the patient for desired and adverse effects of those medications, as well as the effects of the type of therapy delivering the medications. Set up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators, end tidal CO2 monitors, oxygen delivery devices, and oximetry monitors. Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital inpatients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols, incentive spirometry, and chest physical therapy. Sputum specimens will be obtained by induction as ordered. Patient education will be done in all aspects of respiratory care pertaining to the individual patient and according to the patient's or his/her family's ability to assimilate the information. RRT will function as an in-service educator to any personnel needing knowledge of respiratory therapy procedures, equipment, pulmonary anatomy, and physiology. RRT will function as a member of the Code Blue and Rapid Response Teams and is expected to be proficient in basic CPR, Emergency Airway Management to include Intubation and provide ventilation with use of resuscitation bag. RRTs are responsible to maintain Out of OR airway certification including intubation checkoff. RRT will assist in transport within the medical center to other areas of the medical center for those patients requiring respiratory support as indicated. During transport of patients RRT maintains clearance of airway, monitors vital signs, and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary. RRT will attend continuing education programs inside and outside the medical center as appropriate to keep abreast of changes and developments in respiratory therapy and in other areas impacting respiratory therapy and to maintain CEU's for state license and NBRC credentialing. Provides equipment set up and cleaning, intraoperative assistance, and processing of all clinical specimens in the performance of fiber optic bronchoscopies. Assists physician in performing bronchoscopy procedures. Delivers respiratory care as needed in the more complex respiratory care procedures and to poor risk patients such as those in the older age group. Participates in the audit of respiratory care, recommending changes where indicated. RRT safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care using hospital policies and procedures, including appropriate cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. Responsible in assisting the Cardiopulmonary leadership with creating, revising, and implementing various respiratory procedures, performance improvement monitors and processes, and to participate on various clinical focused committees. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served. Work Schedule: Full time 6:45pm-7:15am, to include Weekends and Holidays. Telework: Not Available Compressed Work Schedule: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Registered Respiratory Therapist-Specialty Care/PDF02865, PDF02864, PDF02863, and PDF02862 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position. Position is in the Excepted Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current federal employees must submit copies of their most recent non-award SF50 (notice of personnel action). The SF50 must identify the position, title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (competitive or excepted). In some cases, more than one SF50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Maybe expected to travel to other Boston locations Incomplete applications will not be considered.